Originally Posted by
soitgoes
I think the poster was comparing debit cards (Visa/MC branded) with pure ATM cards. Pure ATM cards can only be used in PIN-based transactions.
There are banking rules that apply to fraud with debit and ATM cards. Mastercard and Visa have also voluntarily extended zero liability to their branded 'check cards'. However, the concern with using a debit card is valid in that it is easy for money to be quickly withdrawn/spent from your checking account. Yeah, you get it back, but....
Believe me, you don't always get it back. At least not without a lawsuit. Voluntary Zero Liability from M/C and Visa are pretty much worthless, since it depends on their deciding your complaint is somehow "valid". The sad truth is that using an ATM or debit card is very dangerous, due to a defective set of legal protections.